from within the wattle-bush hide
she observes a smoking ash ghost
it is tall like emu
its face galah pink
seemingly oblivious to the rain
it emits the strange odour
how can it smoke fire
breathe smoke from its mouth
maybe it is a fire man
maybe the rain is putting it out
like water
on hot coals
from Ruby MoonlightFind more by Ali Cobby Eckermann at the library
Copyright © 2012 Ali Cobby Eckermann
Used with the permission of Flood Editions.